CEMSE will conduct a questionnaire-based study during 2007-2008 to identify which (if any) commercially published instructional materials have been used to teach mathematics and science in K-8 classrooms during the last two school years (2006-2007 and 2007-2008). CPS is in the fourth/fifth year of an initiative to improve the teaching of science and mathematics in grades K-8. One key feature of the initiative is encouraging schools to initiate use of approved curricula in mathematics and science. Knowing which commercially published curricular materials are being used is key to evaluating the success of this endeavor.
This study will employ methods used in a similar study conducted in 2006 that sought to identify which commercially published instructional materials were used to teach mathematics in grades K-8 in CPS schools. The study gathered data from 521 schools concerning the four school years from 2002-2003 to 2005-2006. Respondents in the 2006 study were able to complete the questionnaire online or via telephone with the assistance of a CEMSE staff member. The 2006 study achieved an unusually-high 100% response rate due to a carefully-designed contact and follow-up approach that used surface mail, email, and telephone calls to provide participants reminders and offers of support, strengthened by explicit support from the Chief Education Officer at CPS.
The 2007-2008 study will endeavor to collect data on the instructional materials used in every K-8 classroom, section or group in which science or mathematics is taught, including single grade and split-grade multi-subject classrooms, departmentalized instruction and, for mathematics, special education settings. In addition to documenting science and mathematics instructional materials in use, the study will also determine which schools are offering Algebra coursework in 7th and 8th grades, and what commercially published instructional materials they are using.